Check-controlled apparatus.



W. L. BROWN & J. B. KAIGHN. A

CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3. I914.

1,203,475. Patented Oct. 31,1916.

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WITNESSIE/ INVENTQRS fife W W. L. BROWN & J. B. KAIGHN. CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE8| I914.

Patented, Oct. 31,1916.

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entrain s'rarss PATENT erases.

WILLIAM LAIRD BROWN, 0F LANSDOWNE, AND JAMES BARTON KAIGHN, 0F PHILA- DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

1 CHECK-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, IVLLLIAM LAIRD BROWN and James Barron KAIGHN, both citizens of the United States, respectively residing at Lansdowne, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, and at the city of Philadelphia, in said State, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Check-Controlled Apparatus, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawmes.

Our improvement relates to coin con- ,trolled vending machines, and is particularly applicable to gas meters wherein a rotary coin carrier may be operatively connected by a coin with meter mechanism, which may then be manually set in a position to deliver a predetermined quantity of gas, by turning an exterior handle attached to the carrier.

Our invention is illustrated in connection with apparatus of the general form shown in Letters Patent of the. United States 957,684, granted to James Barton Kaighn, May 10, 1910, and is an improvement upon the specific form thereof shown in Letters Patent of the United States 1,047,651, granted to him December 17, 1912.

In the form shown, the carrier has a hollow cylindrical clutch head with a narrow slot registering with said casing slot to receive a normal coin or check; said slot having a cutting edge in shearing relation with one or more cutting edges within the casing, the side of said carrier opposite to said slot being closed to hold said coin; the normal coins being discharged from said carrier only through said narrow slot and when the carrier is properly reversed to present said slot in registry with the coin receptacle; a wide opening being provided adjoining said slot in the carrier to permit the escape of minor coins or other abnormal checks inserted in said carrier in attempts to fraudulently manipulate the latter; and a clutch loop, in lieu of the clutch pin or pins of the prior art, upon the clutch head which cooperates with said carrier.

Adjunctive features of our invention are the arrangement of the, coin inlet slot inflthe, "stationary casingra'side from the normally Specification of Letters Patent. I Patgnted Oct, 31, 1916;

Application filed June 8, 1914. Serial No. 843,785. I

vertical position thereof, with a hood for said slot which serves both as a guard to exclude dust fromthe slot and as a guide for the coin; and a single stop element upon said carrier within said casingrin cooperative relation with two stop abutments on the interior of said casing, to limit the rotary movement of the carrier.

Our invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In the drawings: Figure I is a front elevation of apparatus conveniently embodying our invention. Fig. II is a vertical sectional view taken on the line II, II in Fig. I. Fig. III is a front elevation of the gear casing which is permanently attached to the meter casing and supports the casing'for the rotary coin carrier. Fig. IV is a rear elevation of the casing for the rotary coin carrier which normally covers the casing shown in Fig. III. Fig. V is an inverted plan view of the structures shown in Figs. I and II. Fig. VI is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line VI, VI in Fig. II, showing the rotary coin carrier in its normal, initial, position. Fig. VII is a view similar to Fig. VI but showing the carrier reversed to permit theescape of a normal coin therefrom into the coin receptacle. Fig. VIII is a view of the coin carrier casing, similar to Figs. VI and VII but with the other elements removed. Fig. IX is a side elevation of the clutch head having a loop which cooperates with the coin carrier. Fig. X is an elevation of the coin carrier as seen from the left hand side of Fig. I, and from the right hand side of Fig. VI. Fig. XI is a transverse sectional view of the coin carrier casing. similar to Fig. VIII, but showing a modified form of stops therein for limiting the rotary movement of the coin carrier. Fig. XII is a sectional view similar to Figs. VIII and XI, but showing another modified form of stop element for the rotary coin carrier. Fig. XIII is an end view of a modified form of rotary carrier having stops arranged to cooperate with the stop shown in Fig. XII.

In said figures; the check controlled apparatus isrigidly supported by theside wall 1 of a gasmeter, the internal mecha-j.

nism of which it is designed to control. The gear casing 2 which is permanently connected with said wall, by its base plate 3, has at its top the bracket 6 and at its lower corners the inwardly turned lugs 7 with screw threaded apertures 8 to hold the coin carrier casing 10 which comprises the plate 11 having the hooked lug 12 arranged to detachably engage said bracket 5, as shown in Fig. 11, and has holes 13, at its lower corners, for the screws 1% which fit the holes 8 in the lugs l of said gear-casing. As shown in Fig. I, saic. gear casing 2 has ide plates 15 overhanging the upper edge of the coin receptacle 17 which fits exterior to said gear casing and has its inlet chute 18 fitting within the depending flange 19 on said coin carrier casing, as indicated in Figs. 11 and VII Said gear casing 2 has the stuffing box bearing 2]. for the shaft 22 which leads to the meter .mechanism and has the gear 23 engaging the gear 24 of the check controlled mechanism. Said gear 24. is mounted on the stud 25 on the frame plate 27 which is pivoted at 28 in said casing 2, so that it may be adjusted, though normally rigidly secured by the screws 30 which eX- tend through slots 31. in said plate 27, in engagement with said casing 2. Said gear 2%, shown in H and Ill, isin mesh with the gear 37, shown in Fig.v IV which is carried by the clutch shaft 38 journaled in the bearing plate 39, which is detachably connected with said plate 11 of the coin car- *ier casing 10 by the three screws l0; Said shaft 38 has its clutch head 4-2 held in trio tional engagement with said plate 39 by the triangular plate spring 44: which encircles said shaft and bears against the collar 45.,

held thereon by the pin to. It is to be understood that said spring prevents accidental rotary movement of said shaft 38 in either direction. clutch shaft 38 being operatively connected with the mecha-,

ating handle rigidly connected therewith the pin 56 and may be rocked from the initial position shown in Fig. V1 to the position shown in Fig. VII; such movement being limited the stop'lug 58 on said carrier encountering the stationary abutments 59 and 60 in said casing adiacent to. said axial bearing. See. Fig. I. Said coin carrier has the narrow coin slot 62 in its side.

parallel with. its. aXiS, .jV hi(1li5, the. initial position shown in Fig. VI, registers with the coin inlet slot 64 in said casing 10 which is the side thereof, extending parallel with.

the axis of said chamber, etween the top and bottom thereof; all of said cuttingedges being in shearing relation with the cutting edges of the slot 62 in said carrier.

The lower e e 69 forms a detent ledge which engages every check which slides thereunder from the carrier, and thus prevents reverse rotationof the latter with any such check. opening 71 in the side thereof adjoining said slot 62, for the discharge of abnormal checks; said slot and opening being disposed within one-third of the circumference of the carrier as shown. in Fig. VI so that the side of said carrier head 52 opposite to said slot 62 therein is closed to hold the normal coin 50 inthe position shown in Fig. VI until said carrier is reversed to bring said slot 62 into registry with the coin receptacle chute 18 to deposit said coin through the discharge opening 7 3 in the bottom of said casing 10. Of course, in turning said carrier from the position shown in Fig. VI to the position shown in Fig. VII the larger opening 71 in the side thereof is presented in registry with said discharge opening 73 so as to permit any minor coins or abnormal checks, which may have been dropped'into said carrier through said casing slot 64, to fall out of said carrier.

Referring to Figs. V and V I it may be observed that said casing 10 has the projec-' tic-n .7 5 extending from one side of said bot.- tom opening 73, intermediate of the length thereof, transversely with respect to the axis of said chamber 66, and another check de-' tent ledge 76 at the junction of said projection with said discharge opening; so that when said carrier is turned from the position shown in Fig. VI to the position shown in Fig. VII the normal coin 50, or any other cheek, may drop intoengagement with said detent ledge 76 to prevent reverse rotation of the. carrier. ,However, the normal coin 50 is prevented from falling into said chute 18, by theprojection .75, until said carrier has been turned with its slot 62 past the end of said projection, as indicated in Fig. VIL

Said apparatus is'normally'operated as follows: lVith the apparatus in theinitial position shown in Figs. I, II, V and VI'a normal coin or check 50 is. inserted beneath.

the. hood; 6?; w-hieh guitlssgit into.theSlot 64 Said carrier has the larger in the casing through which it is dropped into the rotary carrier 53 through the slot (32 in the hollow cylindrical head 52 thereof. As shown in Fig. VI said check thus inserted is held with its upper edge in said slot 62 of the coin carrier by the iniperforate opposite wall of said head 52, and extends in the bight of the loop formed by the parallel limbs 48 of the clutch head 42. Said carrier 53 is then turned by the exterior operating handle 55 from the position shown in Fig. VI to that shown in Fig. VII. During such turning movement the two clutch heads aforesaid are operatively connected by said check 50 so that the head 42 is turned to set the meter mechanism to an extent predetermined by the ratio of the diameters of said gears 23 and 37 and the extent of the turning movement of said exterior handle 55 and the carrier 53 connected therewith; the latter movement being limited by the abutments 59 and 60. Of courseit is to the advantage of the operator to turn said exterior handle 55 to the greatest extent permitted, but the operator is compelled to turn said handle at least to the extent limited by the projection in order to discharge the normal coin 50 into the coin receptacle; because the check detent ledge 76 engages said check 50 when the carrier is rotated to that extent and prevents reverse rotation of the carrier as long as the coin is retained therein undeposited.

. It is to be noted that the parallel limbs 48 of the clutch head 42 are so spaced that the coin carrier must be turned to a sufiicient extent to close the casing slot 64 by the imperforate wall of the carrier clutch head 52 beforethe other clutch head is operatively connected with the carrier by said check 50. Moreover, it is to be noted that such connection is dependent upon the engagement of the edge of said check 50 in the slot 62 of the carrier 53; so that minor coins or checks of less diameter than the bore of said carrier-cannot be utilized to operatively connect said clutch heads. Consequently, if such a minor coin be dropped in said carrier and the latter turned by the handle 55, the only effect of such turning movement is to permit the minor coin to fall into the chute 18 through the discharge opening 73 at the bottom of the casing 10 when the larger opening 71 in the side of the coin carrier registers therewith; such movement having no turning effect upon the other clutch head 42 because of the spaced relation of the limbs 48 thereon which permits such idle movement of abnormal checks. It is also to be noted that such minor coins or abnormal checks are also engaged by the check detent 7 6 when said larger opening 71 of the coin carrier registers therewith, so as to prevent reverse movement of the carrier until such checks; are deposited through said discharge opening 73 into the coin re-' such abutments may be formed by screw studs 78 as shown in Fig. XI; such construction permitting the recess 79 at the outer end of the casing 10, in which said stop 58 turns, to be finished by a turning operation, which is more convenient than the operation requiredfor finishing said recess in the form shown in Fig. VIII. Moreover, said casing 10 may be provided with but a single abutment 81, formed by a screw stud such as the studs 7 8, if the carrier'53 is providedwith two stop projections 82 in corresponding spaced relation. Therefore, we do not de sire to limit all of our claims to combinations including a single stop projection on the carrier arranged to cooperate with two abutments in the casing. r

In addition to the other advantages above noted with reference to the stopelements 58, 78 and 81; the fact that they are screw studs and not unitary portions of the castings to which they are attached not only. facilitates the construction of the apparatus by turning operations, but permits such elements to be removed and replaced at trifling cost when damaged by use and thus avoids the cost of replacement of such castings which is necessitated when the stop elements are unitary portions thereof. v

It may be observed that 10 is of particular advantage in connection with a gas meter, because such apparatus is usually located in the cellar or other dimly lighted portion of a dwelling, and as said casing includes a lower edge for said slot which is upwardly inclined thereto, and said hood includes guide members at the opposite ends of said'inclined edge of said slot, leading to the latter, the deposit of a coin in said slot may be readily eifected without visual inspection of the casing or slot. 1

The extent of the turning movement of the meter mechanism effected by the movement of the coin carrier 53 above described the arrangement I of the slot 64 and its hood 67 of thercasing N is adjustably varied by the employment of 7 the frainelplate 27 upon-its'la-xiszof oscillae;

tion which is coincident with the -,axis of the gear 37 which is carried by the clutch shaft 38. Therefore, it is to be, noted that as heretofore constructed, for instance as shown in said Letters Patent of the United States 957,684, the stuffing box bearing for the price gear shaft is in concentric relation with the gear casing, whereas, in accordance with our present invention, the stuffing box bearing 21 is in eccentric relation with the gear casing 2; so that a greater range of adjustment in the ratio of the gears 23 and 2t and consequent variation in the price of gas dispensed is permitted. f

Ve ,do not desire to claim broadly an element in a coincarrier casing serving as a detent for a check but note that the detent 76 above described is distinguished from such elements of the prior art in that it detains the check at the edge of the discharge opening so that obstructions attached to or carried by the checks are free to fall from the check through said discharge opening when said check is jarred against said detent said discharge opening being very much larger than the coin inlet slot to permit such discharge.

We do not desire to limit ourselves to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth as it'is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from our invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. In check controlledapparatus, the combination with 'a casing having an axial bearing, a chamber concentric with said bearing, with a check inlet slot in the upper portion, a cutting edge at the inner end of said casing slot, another cutting edge in said chamber at the side thereof, extending parallel with the axis of said chamber between the top and bottom thereof; said casing having a check discharge opening at the bottom thereof, a projection extending from one side of said bottom opening, intermediate of the length thereof, transversely with respect to the axis of said chamber, and a check detent ledge at the junction of said projection with said discharge opening; two stop abutments insaid casing, within said chamber, adjacent said bearing; a rotary coin carrier having an axial shaft in said bearing, with a cylindrical tubular clutch head having abore of less diameter than a normal check; said head havinga narrow check slot extending parallel with its axis in one side, the opposite side of said head being closed; said slot having a cutting edge in shearing relation with the cutting edges in said casing; said head having a larger opening in the side thereof adjoining said slot, for the discharge of abnormal checks; said slot and opening n s st s eakag third of the circumference of the latter; a stop stud on said carrier adapted to alternately encounter said casing abutments and limit the rotary movement of said carrier;

another clutch head having an axial shaft for coiiperative connection therewith by a,

normal check; whereby the withdrawal of normal and abnormal checks inserted with respect to said carrier is prevented, and said checks deposited through said discharge opening.

2. In check controlled apparatus, the

combination with a casing having an axial bearing, a chamber concentric with said bearing, with a check inlet slot in the upper portion, but at one side thereof and two stop abutments; of a cutting-edge at the inner'end of said casing slot, another cut ting edge in said chamber at the side there-' of, extending parallel with the axis of'said chamber between the top and bottom thereof; said casing having-a check discharge opening at the bottom thereof, and a check detent ledge at the edge of said opening; a

rotary coin carrier having an axial shaft in said bearing, with a cylindrical tubular clutch'head, having a bore of less diameter I 7 than a normal check: said head having a narrow check slot extending parallel with I its axis in one side, the opposite side of said head being closed; said slothaving a cutting edge in shearing relation with the-cutting edges in said casing; said'head having,

alarger opening in the side thereof adjoin ing'said slot, for the discharge of abnormal checks; a stop stud on said carrier adapted to alternately encounter said casing abut-H; ments and limit the rotary movement of said carrier; another clutch head having an axial shaft in said casing, in axial alinement with said carrier, operatively connected with the mechanism to be controlled, and

having a loop with two limbs parallel with,

itsaxis, extending within said carrier and arranged for cooperative connection therewith by a normal check; whereby the with-7 drawal of normal andabnormal checks inserted with respectxto said carrieris prevented, and said checks deposited through said discharge opening. a

3. In check combination with a casing having an axial controlled apparatus, the

bearing and a chamber concentric with said bearing, with a check inlet slot; a cutting edge at the inner end of-s'aid casing slot and another cutting edge in said chamber at the side thereof; said casing. having a checkdischarge opening: at the bottom thereof; of a rotary.- (30111"CflP-I1EI'fi-llaVlng anaxial shaft tin bearing saith a: cylindrical.

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tubular clutch head, having a bore of less diameter than a normal check; said head having a narrow check slot extending parallel with its axis in one side, the opposite side of said head being closed; said slot having a cutting edge in shearing relation with the cutting edges in said casing; said head having a larger opening in the side thereof adjoining said slot, for the discharge of abnormal checks; another clutch head having an axial shaft in said casing, in axial alinement with said carrier, operatively connected with the mechanism to be controlled, and having a loop with two limbs parallel with its axis, extending within said carrier and arranged for cooperative connection therewith by a normal check; whereby the withdrawal of normal and abnormal checks inserted with respect to said carrier is prevented, and said checks deposited through said discharge opening. 4. In check controlled apparatus, the combination with a casing having an axial bearing and a chamber concentric with said bearing, with a check inlet slot; and'a cutting edge at the inner end of said casing slot; said casing having a check discharge opening at the bottom thereof; of a rotary coin carrier having an axial shaft in said bearing, with a cylindrical tubular clutch head, having a bore of less diameter than a normal check; said head having a narrow check slot extending parallel with its axis in one side, the opposite side of said head 85 being closed; said slot having a cutting edge in shearing relation with the cutting edge in said casing; said head having a larger opening in the side thereof adjoining said slot, for the discharge of abnormal checks; and another clutch head having an axial shaft in said casing, in axial alinement with said carrier, operatively connected with the mechanism to be controlled, and having a loop with two limbs parallel with its axis, extending within said carrier and arranged for cotiperative connection therewith by a normal check; whereby the withdrawal of normal and abnormal checks inserted with respect to said carrier is prevented, and said checks deposited through said discharge opening.

5. In check controlled apparatus, the combination with a casing having an axial bearing and a chamber concentric with said bearing, with a check inlet slot; and a cutting edge in said chamber; said casing having a check discharge opening at the bottom thereof; of a rotary coin carrier having an axial shaft in said bearing, with a cylindrical. tubular clutch head, having a bore of less diameter than a normal check; said head having a narrow check slot extending parallel with its axis in one side, the opposite side of said head being closed in opposition 55 to said check slot, arranged to retaina normal coin in the latter; said slot having a cutting edge in shearing relation with the cutting edge in said casing; and another bination with a casing having an axial bearing and chamber concentric with said bearing, with a check inlet slot; and a cuttingedge in said chamber; said casing having a check discharge opening at the bottom thereof; of a rotary coin carrier having an axial shaft in said bearing, with a cylindrical tubular clutch head; said head having a narrow check slot extending parallel with its axis in one side, the opposite side of said head being closed in opposition to said check slot, arranged to retain a normal coin in the latter; said slot having a cutting edge in shearing relation with the cutting edge in said casing; and another clutch head having an axial shaft in said casing, in axial alinement with said carrier, operatively connected with the mechanism to be controlled, extending within said carrier and arranged for cooperative connection therewith by a normal check; whereby the withdrawal of normal and abnormal checks inserted with respect to said carrier is prevented, and said checks deposited through said discharge opening.

'7. In a check controlled apparatus, the combination with a casing having a check inlet slot with cutting edge at its inner end; of two relatively rotary clutch heads adapted to be operatively connected by a check and having bearings in'said casing on a common axis and respectively connected with an exterior handle and with the mechanism to be controlled; one of said heads being a hollow cylinder, with a bore of less diameter than a. normal check, having a check slot in one side thereof, with a cutting edge parallel with said axis, in shearing relation with the cutting edge in said casing, and having another lateral opening for the discharge of abnormal checks, of less diameter than said bore, said cylinder having an imperforate wall diametrically opposite to said check slot, arranged to retain a normal coin in the latter.

8. In a check controlled apparatus,; the combination with a casing having a check inlet slot with a cutting edge at its inner end; of two relatively rotary clutch heads adapted to be operatively connected by a check and having bearings in said casing on a common'axis'an'd respectiwely coniiec'tedwith an exterior handle and'with the mechanism to be controlled; one of said heads being a hollow cylinder, with a bore of less diameter than a normal check, having a check slot in one side thereof, with a cutting edge in shearing relation with the cutting edge in said casing, and having another lateral opening for the discharge of abnormal checks, of less diameter than said bore, said cylinder having an imperforate wall diametrically opposite to said oheckvslot,arranged to retain a normal coin in the latter.

9. In a check controlled apparatus, the combination with a casing; of two relatively rotary clutch heads adapted to be operatively connected by a check, and having hearings in said casing on a common axis, and respectively connected with'an exterior handle and with the mechanism to be controlled; one of said heads being a hollow cylinder. with a bore of less diameter than a normal check, having a check slot in one side thereof, parallel with said axis, and diametrically opposed, by an imperforate wall of said head arranged to retain checks in the latter, and having another lateral opening for the discharge of abnormal checks, ofless diameter than said bore; the other head having a loop including limbs parallel with said axis and extending in said cylinder with its bight initially in registry with said slot to receive a normal check.

10. In a check controlled apparatus, the combination with a casing; of two relatively rotary clutch heads adapted to be operatively connected by a check, and having hearings in said casing on a common axis, and respectively connected with an exterior handle and with the mechanism to be controlled; one of said heads being a hollow cylinder having a check slot in one side thereof, parallel with said axis, and diametrically opposed by an imperforate wall of said head, arranged to prevent diametrical passage through said head of anything inserted in said check slot, and having another lateral opening for the discharge of abnormal checks; the other head having a loop including limbs parallel with said axis and extending in said cylinder with its bight initially in registry with said slot to receive a normal check;

11. In a check controlled apparatus, the combinationwith a casing; of two relatively rotary clutch heads adapted to be operatively connected by a check, and having bearings in said casing on a common axis, and respectively connected with an exterior handle and with the mechanism to be controlled; one of said heads being a hollow cylinder having a check slot in one side thereof and diametrically opposed by an imperforate wall of said head,arrangedto prevent diametrical passagethrough said head of'anythin'g inserted in said ch'eck'slot, and having another lateral opening for the discharge of abnormal checks; the other head having a loop including limbs parallel with said axis and extending in said cylinder with its bight initially in registry withsaid slot to receive a normal check.

12.2111 a check. controlled apparatus, the combinationwitha casing; of two relatively rotary clutch heads adapted to be operativel'y'connected bya checkand having bearings in said casing on a common axis and respectively connected with an exterior handle and with the mechanism to be controlled; one of said heads being a hollow cylinder, with a. bore of less diameter than a normal check, having a checkslo't in one side thereof arranged to engage .a normal check, and having another lateral opening,

out of alinement with said slot, for the discharge 'ofabnormal checks, :of less diameter. than said bore.

In a oheck controlledapparatus,a rotary check carrier including a hollow 'cylinder, with a bore of less diameter than a normal check, having a "check slot in one side thereof, parallel with said axis, and dia-- metrically opposed by an imperfora'te'wall of said cylinder, and having another lateral opening for the discharge of abnormal checks, of less diameter than said bore.

'14:. In a check controlled apparatus, the combination with a casing having a check inlet and a "discharge opening; of a rotary check carrier including a hollow cylinder having a check "slot 'in one side thereof *diametrically'opposed by an imperforate'wall of said cylinder, and having another lateral opening,out'of'alinement with said slot, for the discharge of abnormalchecks; said carrier slot being arranged toalternately register with said check'inlet and'discha'rge open 7 ing, and said discharge opening being of greater circumferential ex'te'nt'than said carrier slot; whereby the-discharge of a check from said opening is facilitated.

15. In a check controlled apparatus, the combination 'with a casing having a check inlet slot; of rotary clutch head in said casing having a "loop including two cylindrical limbs parallel with its axis, forming a closed big'ht for the'recepti'on of a check from said slot peach o'f'saidlimbsoccupying a sector of notm'ore than sixty degrees of the circumference of said head; whereby said loop is adapted to receive a check from said slot, diametrically between its limbs, throughout'a range of at least one hundred and twenty degrees circumferential disfor the reception of a check from said slot; signed our names, at Philadelphia, Pennsyleach of said limbs occupying such a limited Vania, this fifth day of June, 1914.

sector of the circumference of said head that WILLIAM LAIRD BROWN said loop is adapted to receive a check from said slot, diametrically, between its limbs, JAMES BARTON KAIGHN' regardless of the presentation of said limbs Witnesses: in unsymmetrical relation with said slot. THEO. H. MCCALLA,

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto MARY MCCALLA.

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